Labor Day seemed like the perfect weekend to getaway with my girls and some of their friends. For the first time in four years, we didn't have a middle school or high school retreat planned with our church. So, it seemed like an ideal time for a "non-agenda weekend." And that is exactly what it was.
Of course, we were able to sleep late because we didn't have a schedule or anything planned in advance. However, in the middle of the "non-agenda" we found plenty to do and had plenty of time to spend doing it. We spent time sitting and talking and playing games. In pajamas after dark, we kicked back to look at the stars and talk some more. On a whim, we stopped to play miniature golf and ride go-carts at this little place that actually looked like it was closed. (But we had the time to stop and find out because we weren't scheduled to be anywhere at any time.)
Throughout the weekend conversations, we connected and laughed and challenged one another.
I found myself wondering what would happen if small group leaders or Sunday school teachers or moms would take four to six girls away for a weekend at least once or twice a year. And not just away for a girls' retreat or planned event, but a real getaway. I know there are some who already do this, but how would the church change if more girls' leaders took advantage of a "non-agenda weekend getaway" with some girls. How would the girls change? How would we as leaders change? How would relationships grow between these girls? How would their relationship with God be different?
It seems like life is always busy and I know I am lucky to find time to sit and talk with one of my girls at a ball game or over a diet coke. There is always more to do or some place to be that interrupts the opportunities to connect for any length of time. And when we do getaway we have such an intense plan or schedule of all the things we need to accomplish.
This weekend challenged me to think differently about the time I spend with my girls, the girls in my church, and really any girls I come into contact with. How can I find the down time to simply "hang out" with them more? How can I look for the opportunities to be in their world? And to be in their world not to lead the girls' ministry or Bible study or accountability group, but just being present in what is happening around them. Really living life with them....
Being in the right place, at the right time is sometimes difficult in girls' ministry for me because I have the tendency to plan out everything that will happen in my day. But as I sat and looked at the stars the other night with some girls, I was reminded that sometimes ministry just happens in the middle of the ordinary moments of life. When you are sitting and talking and looking at stars...and suddenly the conversation turns to God's greatness...because He created all those stars and we get to enjoy them.
One generation will declare Your works to the enxt and will proclaim Your mighty acts. I will speak of Your glorious splendor and Your wonderful works. They will proclaim the power of Your awe-inspiring works, and I will declare Your greatness. - Psalm 145:4-6
This is the type of girls' ministry that I want to spend more time doing. It is not planned. It is not forced. It is not expected.
What about you? How is your life intersecting with the lives of girls in a real and natural way? What tips do you have for others in making their girls' ministry a natural overflow of their life and their time?
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